On the cutting edge: Faurecia $64 million plant opens

An autonomous intelligent vehicle transports component parts to the assembly line at Faurecia’s new digital manufacturing facility in Columbus. Submitted photo

The world has received its first glimpse of the newest blueprint for digital manufacturing — and it’s in Columbus.

On Tuesday, Faurecia unveiled its new $64 million digital factory off County Road 450S that features innovations far beyond the industrial manufacturing facilities of yesteryear.

The new 400,000-square-foot facility, named Columbus South, has self-learning autonomous intelligent vehicles to transport component parts to the assembly line and robotic support to enable employees to work more efficiently.

When the plant reaches full operation in January, about 450 employees will produce a new, high-tech emissions control product for the commercial vehicle industry, in partnership with Cummins Inc.

On Thursday, The Republic will give readers a look inside the new plant and what Faurecia’s investment in Columbus means for the future.